I think every girl dreams of going to Paris. I have been 4 times, now. Ha! Where we live is only a 4 hour drive to Paris. In the US, we couldn't get from NC to FL in less than 8.5 hours.
Paris has always been a dream of mine. Fernando and I visited Paris on our honeymoon. We didn't realize it was Bastille Day, while we were there. We ended up having a picnic on the lawn near the Champs de Mars and watched the fireworks. I highly recommend this, if you are ever visiting around the holiday. When we went in 2015, I must admit, it was a let down for me. I wasn't prepared for how hard it would be not knowing the language, how impolite people are, the smoking, etc. Having lived in and traveled around Europe for 2.5 years, now, I am pretty immune to these things. I, now, appreciate Paris and its beauty. I, also, think the pandemic softened the Parisians, just a little. I went on a girls trip to Paris, during the pandemic, in 2020. Talk about amazing! There were no tourists. There were no crowds. It was a dream! There were no lines outside of The Louvre. If you have ever been to Paris, you know what it is usually like. Highlights from this trip included an e-bike tour of the city and Le Girafe. It is not easy getting reservations at Le Girafe, but we were able to sit inside and watch the Eiffel Tower twinkle. It was magical! The e-bike tour was incredible, also. We got to see all of Paris, with stops for macarons and drinks.
We took the girls in July of 2021 for Laney's 5th birthday. We took my mom and brother in November of 2022. During these two trips, we did a lot of touristy things, hitting all of the hot spots. When we went in July, we drove. Again, a very easy drive from Dusseldorf. The kids did great, despite our European Vacation moment around the Arc de Triomphe. I haven't laughed so hard, poor Fernando!
Below, I have outlined our highlights and my recommendations.
RECOMMENDATIONS
FOOD
Getting a croque madame or a croque monsieur at any of the cafes is a must!
Le Girafe | Great atmosphere and view at night for drinks and dessert.
Le Relais de l'Entrecote | The best steak frites we have ever had! It is the only thing on the menu. When they take your order, they simply ask Medium or Medium Rare. It was so good, Fernando and I went three nights in a row, on our honeymoon.
Laduree | You can't go to Paris and not get macarons from Laduree. I know they have them in some of the big cities in the US, but they do not taste the same. The Parisian macarons taste magnificent. Their pistachio is beyond!!! Laney and I both have to get pistachio when we go.
Motors Coffee | If you know me, you know I am a coffee snob. I loved this place. I went every day when we were there in July. They have the best oat milk latte.
Cloud Cakes | This little eatery is a great breakfast option. It offers gluten free and vegan options. The pancakes and acai bowl were delish! Get there early, as it is a popular spot!
Republique of Coffee | This is another great breakfast or brunch spot, with vegan and vegetarian options. I highly recommend the avocado toast and the smoothie bowl. [Pictured above]
ACCOMADATION We have done AirBnBs during our stays. I recommend staying near the Louvre, in the 1st arrondissement. While staying in this area, we were able to walk to most places, without a stroller. You can easily get to The Louvre, Laduree, good shopping, Saint Chapelle, Notre Dame, and more. ACTIVTIES
I feel it goes without saying you need to see the normal hot spots: Eiffel Tower, Saint Chapelle, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, and The Louvre.
I, also, highly recommend the activities below.
Jardin de Luxembourg | Great area to burn energy with kids. They have a playground, pony rides, and more. The girls had the best time at the playground. It has a zip line, which I feel we did about 10 times - Laney loved it! You do have to pay to get into the playground section, which is fenced off. Totally worth the small fee.
Jardin de Tuileries | A great playground to burn energy, near the Louvre. It has lots of options for the kids, and a beautiful view.
Macaron Making Class | I booked this experience via AirBnB, and I can't recommend it enough. I planned this for Laney and I to do, together. I loved every minute of experiencing this with her. She had the absolute best time, too! She still talks about how great she is at making macarons. The instructor was great with adults and with children. I will never forget getting to do this with Laney, and I hope she never forgets either. It was so special!
Private Boat Ride | I really enjoyed doing the boat tour. Unfortunately, we didn't realize ours did not come with a guide. It was just the ride. I would have enjoyed a small dose of history. If we did it again, I would probably go with a different company.
Sunrise Running Tour | Fernando really enjoyed this tour. He was able to see Paris, with a local, without the crowds. He got to see her, in all of her glory, while also working out. His guide was great, and stopped to take as many pictures as Fernando wanted.
Galeries Lafayette | I always love to visit this department store. At Christmas, it was simply magical. They have all of the cool brands, toys, beauty, and more! They have rooftop bars and restaurants, with gorgeous views of Paris. You do not have to be a customer at the restaurants to take in the views or take photos.
Family Photos | Visiting a place like Paris is so special. I love having the professional photos to hang in our home. We had a friend, who is a professional photographer, take photos of us in 2015. As a family, we had another professional take photos [link]. They are some of my most prized possessions. Unfortunately, Leighton did not want to cooperate. I, thankfully, can laugh about it now.
If you have been to Paris, what did you love most?
Was it as dreamy as you thought it would be?
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